Settled on ice, new-look Rampage hoping for fast start

New Rampage coach Dean Chynoweth on the bench with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters in 2015.

New Rampage coach Dean Chynoweth on the bench with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters in 2015.

Photo: Courtesy Photo /S.A. Rampage

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New Rampage coach Dean Chynoweth, 2015.

New Rampage coach Dean Chynoweth, 2015.

Photo: Courtesy Photo /S.A. Rampage

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Rampage player Ben Street poses on media day in 2015.

Rampage player Ben Street poses on media day in 2015.

Photo: Courtesy Photo / S.A. Rampage

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Rampage player Calvin Pickard poses on media day in 2015.

Rampage player Calvin Pickard poses on media day in 2015.

Photo: Courtesy Photo / S.A. Rampage

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Rampage player Andrew Agozzino poses on media day in 2015.

Rampage player Andrew Agozzino poses on media day in 2015.

Photo: Courtesy Photo / S.A. Rampage

Settled on ice, new-look Rampage hoping for fast start

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New players, new city. It’s been a chaotic two weeks for the Rampage since they opened training camp Sept. 28.

“We’ve still got a lot of guys in hotels,” head coach Dean Chynoweth said. “I’d like to get them settled as soon as possible. We want to get off to a flying start, so this is a crucial time.”

The new-look Rampage seem to have things pretty settled on the ice heading into the regular-season opener Saturday in Cedar Park against the rival Texas Stars.

The AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, formerly known as the Lake Erie Monsters based in Cleveland, moved to San Antonio after the Avalanche signed a five-year player development contract with Spurs Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Rampage, this past spring.

The roster was trimmed from 35 players at the start of camp to 24. The Rampage split two preseason games against the Stars this past weekend.

More Information

Players to watch

Age: 24

Position: Left wing

Size: 5-foot-10, 187 pounds

Birthplace: Kleinburg, Ontario

Acquired: Signed as a free agent March 22, 2013.

Notable: Led Lake Erie in scoring a year ago with 30 goals and 64 points, an AHL career high. Had 67 goals and 165 points in three seasons with Monsters.

Age: 28

Position: Center

Size: 5-11, 185

Birthplace: London, Ontario

Acquired: Signed as a free agent July 1, 2014.

Notable: A playmaker as well as a scorer. Played in just 44 games a year ago after recovering from injury, tallying 39 points (9-30).

Notable: Solid goaltender with NHL potential. Was 6-7-3 with 2.35 GAA in 16 games with Avalanche, 23-17-9 with 2.61 GAA with Lake Erie a year ago.

John Whisler

“I’m excited about our group,” Chynoweth said. “In the three (previous) years I’ve been here, we’ve never had this kind of depth and size mixed with skill.”

Chynoweth promises a fast, up-tempo style that is heavy on the forecheck with defensemen often involved in the rush.

That should provide for an exciting style to watch. Winning? That remains to be seen.

The Monsters finished 35-29-8-4 a year ago, just missing the playoffs. The Rampage, in their final season of their affiliation agreement with the Florida Panthers, finished 45-23-7-1 and won their first division crown in franchise history.

The Rampage have a completely new roster this season.

They’re led by veteran AHL winger Andrew Agozzino, who tied for seventh in the league in scoring a year ago with 64 points (30-34-64).

Centerman Ben Street, injured much of this past season, is a capable scorer and playmaker, and defenseman Maxim Noreau provides punch from the back line.

Rampage fans might be most familiar with Noreau, who played four years with the now defunct Houston Aeros. He’s averaged 25 assists a season as a pro.

“We have three or four lines capable of scoring,” Agozzino said.

A lot is expected of No. 1 goaltender Calvin Pickard, who will need to be solid between the pipes considering the team’s offensive style.

The 23-year-old backstop ranked 29th in the AHL among goaltenders this past season with a 23-17-9 record, 2.61 GAA and 0.917 save percentage.

The Rampage move to the newly formed Pacific Division, which includes California teams in San Diego, San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield and Ontario.